Axes

Surprisingly underpowered, axes are not the best choice for big damage. One-handed Axes have decent damage and attack rate, but can't match the top swords (for Barbarians) or hammers. Two-handed axes have decent damage, but less than spears or polearms, and have less range than these, a big consideration for Barbs using Whirlwind.

For D2 classic players: Nagas (1 handed axe) and Ancient Axes (2 handed axe) have no dexterity requirement. Also, Nagas have a range 3 (range 3 is much nicer than, for example, the Battle Hammer's range 1), and Ancient Axes have a range of 4 (only one less range than max range of 5, like some spears and polearms), so these axes could see some use.

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Less damaging than the larger, two-handed axes, these small weapons have a faster swing speed and lower strength requirements. Also the character has an option of using a shield with them, though this is less of a benefit in the Expansion, due to the nerfing of blocking percentage.

Axes are generally pretty poor weapons in Diablo II, with slower swing speed, less range, and often less damage than swords or blunt weapons.

Large axes were the most damaging and mighty weapons in Diablo, and they are still quite massive in Diablo II, though polearms and spears both do more damage at the higher levels. They have more range also, a major consideration for Barbarians who are going to be using Whirlwind for their main attack.

Axes are very heavy items requiring high strength to wield them effectively, and they are slow to attack with, though a bit faster than the longer Polearms. They do not have very much reach in Diablo II. Their greatest advantage over Polearms is their much higher minimum damage. So you don't get the huge one-swing kills with axes, but you are sure to get at least pretty good damage with every successful hit.

Item Level: Monsters must be of this level to drop a particular item. Ilvl is used in gambling, sales and other calculations as well.

Clvl Req: A character or mercenary must be this level to equip the item.

Range: Goes from 1 (least) to 5 (most), and is identical for all melee weapon types. I.E. a 3 sword = a 3 spear = a 3 hammer.

Dmg Bonus: This determines how you multiply the item damage by your stats to reach the actual damage. Each point in this statistic multiplies your damage by bonus/100 %. For example a damage bonus of 70 is 70/100 or and additional .7% weapon damage per point. Most weapons have 100 str, which gives 100/100 or an additional 1% weapon damage per point in str.

Weapon Speed (WSM): A relative comparison to other weapons of the same type. 0 is the base -10, -20, etc is faster, 10, 20, etc is slower.

Swing Speed: The speed shown in-game for each character using this melee weapon. This speed is mostly meaningless and is included for completeness only. Characters are abbreviated to their first letters, with Amazon = Am and Assassin = As.